Did your furry friend recently pee on your favorite upholstery? If your couch has one too many fresh urine stains, it’s time to get cleanin’! Luckily, there are a few home remedies that are both easy and effective to use, whether you’re removing urine stains from your couch cushions or an area rug.
Keep reading to learn more!
The Quick Solution
- Gently blot the affected area as soon as an accident occurs to remove as much urine as possible. Use either a dry cloth or paper towels. Don’t rub, as this can spread the stain.
- Use either an enzymatic cleaner or a homemade solution to clean the urine stain. Follow up with white vinegar and baking soda to further reduce odors and staining.
- Repeat the process as many times as needed to remove the urine stain and urine smell.
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How to Clean Fresh Dog Urine off Couch Cushions
If your dog has just let loose on your couch, you need to act fast. However, there are a few things that you should do and things that you shouldn’t do.
This step-by-step guide will give you all the nitty gritty details to help you quickly and effectively remove the pee stain from your upholstery.
Step #1: Blot The Wet Urine
Always blot, never rub! All pet parents should know to never rub any type of dog stain, whether it be urine or feces. Rubbing simply spreads the stain. Blotting allows you to remove as much of the liquid as possible without making more of a mess.
Step #2: Spray With Water and Reblot
Use a spray bottle to spray the stained spot with clean water. Blot dry with a clean cloth. This will dilute the stain and remove the particles that create odor. You can repeat this step as many times as needed.
Step #3: Find or Make a Cleaning Solution
There are several different ways to treat urine or feces stains.
The first is to make an at-home cleaning mix. Mix together the following ingredients to make a homemade cleaning mix:
- 1/2 cup warm water
- 1/2 cup white vinegar (this helps reduce odor and remove bacteria)
- 1/4 dish soap
You can also apply an enzyme cleaner. Enzyme cleaners work by using natural enzymes to break down the particles in urine and feces that cause stains and odors. They’re a great purchase if you’re a pet parent looking to keep your house spotless and clean!
Just remember to keep moving quickly! The best way to prevent lasting damage is to treat the urine stain as quickly as possible.
Step #4: Spread the Cleaning Solution Over the Affected Area
If you’re using an enzyme cleaner, apply it per the product instructions.
If you’re using an at-home cleaning mix, apply it using a dry cloth. As you spread the cleaning mix, it will lightly foam. Don’t remove the foam for now; instead, focus on working the cleaning mix into the fabric fibers.
You can use either a dry cloth or a toothbrush. Many people find that the soft bristles of a toothbrush are great at agitating the cleaning mix. This encourages the product to penetrate the couch cushion more deeply.
Step #5: Remove Dirty Foam With a Spatula
After gently working the cleaning solution into the fabric, some foam will form in the stained spot. You can remove this foam using a spatula or any tool with a flat surface that won’t cause unnecessary damage to the couch cushion.
Step #6: Spray With White Vinegar
If you are using an at-home cleaning mix, follow up with white vinegar. White vinegar is an excellent cleaning agent because it is high in acetic acid. Acetic acid is able to dissolve dirt, grease, and grime, in addition to mineral deposits (which are found in dog urine.)
Use a spray bottle to spray the stained spot with white vinegar. Be sure to only use white vinegar! Other vinegar types, like balsamic vinegar, are not suitable cleaning agents and can cause further staining or odors.
After the vinegar dries, do not wipe it up. Move on to the next step!
Step #7: Sprinkle Baking Soda Over the Affected Area
Sprinkle some baking soda over the affected area. Baking soda is a neutralizing agent that can balance both acidic and alkaline substances. It also is great at removing odors!
Using white vinegar and baking soda together creates a dynamic duo that can remove stains and eliminate odors. Baking soda helps dry and neutralize the acid of vinegar and makes the solution more effective.
Let the baking soda sit on the stained spot for at least five minutes. It’s best to let it sit for as long as possible – overnight would be ideal.
Step #8: Vacuum the Debris
Once the vinegar and baking soda have fully dried, you can remove the debris with a vacuum. It will take around two hours for it to dry. During these two hours, the vinegar and baking soda will continue to fight lingering odors and reduce staining.
Once you’ve vacuumed the remaining debris, your couch will (hopefully) be back to its pristine condition! Feel free to repeat the process until the stain has been completely eliminated. If you tried using a homemade cleaning mix and found little success, try to repeat the process with an enzyme cleaner.
How to Remove Old Dog Urine From Couch Cushions
As we said, it’s important to act fast. Fresh urine stains are far easier and quicker to clean than older urine stains. However, you may have uncovered some old stains that have flown under the radar. In that case, you’ll need to take a slightly different approach to help remove the dried dog pee stains.
Step #1: Find or Make a Cleaning Solution
You can make either a homemade cleaning solution or buy an enzymatic cleaner. Mix together the following ingredients to make a homemade cleaning solution for old dog urine stains:
- 1 cup hydrogen peroxide
- 1 tbsp baking soda
- A few drops of dish soap
Pour this mixture into a spray bottle.
Step #2: Spot Test the Fabric
Hydrogen peroxide is a highly reactive substance. If you’re using your own cleaning mix, it’s a good idea to spot-test your homemade solution before using it on your prized upholstery.
Spray a small amount on a hidden portion of the couch, such as the underside of the cushion or the back facing the wall.
Wait until the solution dries, or 15 minutes. Check for any discoloration or alternations. If you see any, do not use your homemade solution. It’s best to use enzyme cleaners that are made for cleaning couches or cushions.
Step #3: Spray the Cleaning Solution Over the Affected Area
When using enzyme cleaners, apply the product using the instructions. When using a homemade cleaning mix, apply it to the stained spot using a spray bottle.
Wait for the solution to dry, and check if the stain fades at all. Reapply the cleaning mix, letting it dry between coats. The stain should slowly start to fade.
Step #4: Blot the Solution
Once the stain nearly or entirely disappears (depending on the severity of the stain), you can remove the cleaning mix by blotting the area with a damp cloth. A slightly wet microfiber cloth will help remove any remaining pee or moisture.
In some cases, you may not be able to entirely remove the pet urine stains if they’ve been there for a long time. In that case, you’ll likely need to hire professional cleaners to treat your couch.
Bonus: HOA Dog Rules And Policies Every Dog Owner Should Know About
Why Regular Cleaning Methods Might Not Work
All dog owners know the struggle of pet parenting. Especially if you have a young puppy, accidents are all too commonplace. Even older dogs can have a pee accident every now and again.
However, urine stains are no joke!
Of course, the best way to prevent staining is to not let it happen (easier said than done, we know!) Be sure to let your furry friend relieve themselves frequently, especially if they are young or old, as they may have more issues controlling their bladder. If you’re struggling to keep up with the piles of poo in your yard, book a pet waste removal company to come by and clean your yard once or twice a week.
Dog pee stains aren’t like normal stains. Dog pee can create strong odors and stubborn stains. Though many kitchen cleaning solutions can effectively tackle fresh stains, they aren’t partially great at eliminating lingering smells. That’s why enzymatic cleaners are the best choice.
Scrubbing or washing pet stains also can lead to further damage or discoloration. It’s important to be patient and gentle yet quick and thorough.
Why Dogs Pee on Furniture
If this is a repeated issue, it might be time to consider the reason why your furry friend tends to urinate on your furniture. Of course, dogs will be dogs! But there might be a more compelling reason behind their unpleasant habits.
Here are a few of the most common causes why your canine companion may urinate on your couch or other furniture:
- Stress or anxiety: When dogs feel stressed or anxious, especially if they have separation anxiety, they may pee indoors.
- Submissive behavior: Some dogs may pee as a sign of submission, which can be a result of trauma or just come naturally.
- Territorial marking: If you have a male dog or a dominant dog, they may pee to assert themselves.
- Incontinence: If you have an older dog, they may have trouble controlling their bladder, which can lead to accidents.
- Disease: Some diseases, like kidney disease or a urinary tract infection, can cause excessive thirstiness that can cause your dog to need to relieve themselves more frequently (and often indoors.)
- Habit: Dogs are attracted to the scent of their own urine. So, even if peeing indoors started as an accident, it may turn into a habit if uncorrected.
If your dog exhibits any worrisome symptoms, consult with your veterinarian for medical advice.
The Bottom Line: How to Clean Dog Pee off the Couch
Dogs will be dogs! And sometimes that means discovering dog pee or poo indoors. Though a dog poop scooping company can help keep your lawn spic and span, it’s up to you to remove dog pee stains and smells from your upholstery (unless you hire professionals for that, too.)
Just use this step-by-step guide to help remove any stains or smells on your couch that were courtesy of your furry friend!
Keep Reading: Why Do My Dog’s Paws Smell Like Fritos?
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Scoop Masters offers professional dog waste removal services in California, Texas, Florida, and Tennessee. Since 1988, we’ve saved dog owners across the country from the overly unpleasant task of picking up after their pets. Each poopy project we complete gives them the freedom, convenience, and sanitation they deserve! Contact us for a free quote, or simply stock up on enough dog poop bags to keep your pet’s number twos at bay. To stay in the loop, follow up on Facebook and Twitter/X. If your dog can poop it, we can scoop it!
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